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I'm really horribly picky when it comes to buying new music. First off, I buy music by the album; yes, I am one of those people who believe in the integrity of the album, rather than a smattering of seperate singles. Second, my taste in music is pretty narrow by today's standards.
So far, I have nine albums. My collection is very small, and limited to three artists, as you'll see from the following list:
Parachutes, by Coldplay A Rush of Blood to the Head, by Coldplay X&Y, by Coldplay My Private Nation, by Train The Unforgettabe Fire, by U2 The Joshua Tree, by U2 Achtung Baby, by U2 All That You Can't Leave Behind, by U2 How to Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, by U2
As you can plainly see, I need more music! But my tastes are incredibly picky. Not only do I look for the "best", but I can't stand rap, or hardcore rock, or hardcore alternative, or "girl music", or teenage punk. Country often gets on my nerves. And rock representing sex, drugs, and general obscenity is completely out of the question (i.e. nothing vulgar like the Rolling Stones).
I have considered at least a couple other bands to look into, that I've heard good things about: Five for Fighting and Keane. Other than these two, I don't know what I'm going to do. Any suggestions?
Posts: 292 | Registered: Jun 2006
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Well, if you have that much U2, you might as well get Rattle and Hum - in my opinion, their best by a decent margin. This is especially true for someone who likes albums as a whole.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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In that same vein I'd suggest Snow Patrol, Gomez and Dave Matthews Band. All fantastic groups in what I'd call a similar thread of music.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Awesome suggestions. I'll check them out. And I've been thinking of getting Rattle and Hum for some time now; I guess I'll try it out.
Thanks for the quick response. Within a week, I'll have a new album. (I try to pace my spending to an album every two to three weeks. Kind of slow, but better than spending it all at once.)
And I'll check out Pandora; it sounds like a good way to find new music.
Posts: 292 | Registered: Jun 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Dagonee: Well, if you have that much U2, you might as well get Rattle and Hum - in my opinion, their best by a decent margin. This is especially true for someone who likes albums as a whole.
Really? I have all U2's albums from Boy through Achtung Baby, and Rattle & Hum is the only one I don't put on my U2 mp3-cd. It's not terrible, but both as a concert album, and as a U2 album, you could do a lot better. Pretty much all the songs on there are better in their original incarnations, and that includes the covers.
Just my opinion, though.
And in another opinion, my suggestion is that you broaden your horizons. I'm sure you'll get a lot of suggestions for bands that sound like U2 and Coldplay. But you've already got several albums that sound like U2 and Coldplay. If you really want to start building a collection, try branching out. Maybe The Doors, Jimi Hendrix or Talking Heads. In fact, the same guy (Brian Eno) joined Talking Heads as a co-writer and producer to make their classic album Remain in Light (among others) that joined U2 to make The Joshua Tree (among others), so that might be a good safe place to start. If you're feeling even more adventurous, you could try Massive Attack or Chemical Brothers. As you keep going, you may even someday be ready for some Mingus or Schubert. Heck, if you stray far enough, you might find some things you absolutely love in genres that you've dismissed in your first post.
I know that's a long shot, but it's my best suggestion. Good luck on the search. Posts: 563 | Registered: Feb 2006
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You might like Foo Fighters' newer music. And, considering your insterest in U2, you might like the newer stuff by Switchfoot.
Edit-
Foo Fighters: This band is more of a straight up rock group with some mellow moments. I would check out their CD The Colour and the Shape. They seem to have a degree in writing insanely catchy pop tunes.
Switchfoot: They are kind of a rock band that shows strong influence from U2 on some songs. They are kind of punky. I good place to start with Switchfoot is their CD The Beautiful Letdown.
(WARNING: Switchfoot is a Christian band. They don't openly preach in their music, but Christian messages are a big part of the lyrics for some of the songs.)
posted
Baron's right. The more you venture musically from what you're used to, the more fulfilling the musical journey can become. In terms of slightly more adventurous music, the obligatory Radiohead recommendation cannot be ignored.
Posts: 122 | Registered: Feb 2003
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Relient K: Kind of fun punk music. If you aren't Christian, you might not like it. They sing about a lot of religious messages. Still good though.
Tool: It's kind of hard to describe Tool. I usually tell people that it's kind of art metal. It's defintely for someone trying to expand their horizons.
Posts: 6026 | Registered: Dec 2004
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quote:Really? I have all U2's albums from Boy through Achtung Baby, and Rattle & Hum is the only one I don't put on my U2 mp3-cd. It's not terrible, but both as a concert album, and as a U2 album, you could do a lot better. Pretty much all the songs on there are better in their original incarnations, and that includes the covers.
I have everything through whatever the one after Zooropa is (the album that came out before the Pop tour). I love the originals on R&H - plus you get BB and Dylan. Edge's take on Watchtower is great, and I prefer most of the Joshua tree versions on R&H.
Posts: 26071 | Registered: Oct 2003
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I totally understand where your coming from. I have an incredibly particular taste in music. The majority of my music library consists of Alternative, including U2 and Coldplay. Perhaps we have a similar taste.
If your into the Alternative jive, try out Elliott Smith. I happened upon one of his songs in a burnt CD a friend had given me the year prior. I can't get enough of him, and he has a substantial collection of work.
Others you may like: -The shins (they just released a new album last week, though I'd recommend one of their earliers such as Chutes Too Narrow) -Arcade Fire -The Presidents of The United States of America( they're a ninties band and have gone cold, but I'm sure you can find one of their albums somewhere. If you're going to pick up one, I'd recommend their self-titled record.) -Cake (they're just plain good) -Beck ( a bit corky but worth a listen) -The 88 (they're relatively unknown. I was listening to a show when I heard one of their songs. I ended up typing the lyrics into google and downloaded that song. Immidiately after, I purchased one of their albums. That is, actually, how I find a lot of music I like.) -Jack Johnson ( I like him anyway)
If you like any of these, let me know. I have more.
Edit: In addition to Will B's idea of visiting pandora.com, try allmusic.com. Type in an artist and it will tell you that artist's influences, similar artists and artist that they influenced.
BTW Will, Pandora isn't working for me. I can't register. Any suggestions?
posted
Just to establish something: I am a Christian, so artists such as Switchfoot and Relient K are fine with me. However, I don't really feel like doing Relient K, as I've already tried one of their CDs. It didn't suit me, felt a bit too goofy.
Let me clarify: I like good music, not necessarily "fun" music. Not music you'd jump up and down to, or dance to, or whatever. I just like music that I can listen to without cringing or wanting to change the channel.
(For reference: I was one of those guys who would just listen to the music at Stake dances, hanging out in the foyer or on the chairs lining the room.)
Posts: 292 | Registered: Jun 2006
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Well, if you don't mind Christian music, I'd advise you to check out the band Skillet. Either their CD Collide or Alien Youth. Their new CD, Comatose, is good too. But the other two albums are a better starting place.
I'm not too terribly familiar with their work, but the album The Question by Emery has a good alternative vibe to it. If you check it out, I'll check it out.
Edit:
This isn't Christian music, but I also recommend:
* Tommy by The Who * Who's Next by The Who * Nevermind by Nirvana * Pearl Jam by Pearl Jam
The Crane Wife by the Decemberists Eat, Sleep, Repeat by Copeland Third Eye Blind Clarity by Jimmy Eat World
And for what it's worth, I'm glad you believe in the integrity of an entire album. I'm the exact same way; I don't care how catchy a single is, if that's the only worthwhile song an artist can produce, then I don't want to listen to them. Some people may call me elitist, but I believe in work that's made with talent and sincere love for music. No 3-minute Top 100 chart stuff for me, even if some of my favorite bands occasionally release a single that's good enough to be reach the ears of the masses. Posts: 349 | Registered: Jul 2006
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# Silverchair - Neon Ballroom # Silverchair - Diorama These are their two most recent albums. The fifth is due to be released within three months. The first two albums are less sophisticated, sounding more like Nirvana (which doesn't mean they're bad) # The Reindeer Section - Y'all Get Scared Now, Ya Hear # The Reindeer Section - Son Of Evil Reindeer The Reindeer Section is a collaboration of artists from several Scottish bands, the music they produce is not unlike that of Coldplay or Keane, which means fairly calm.
Hope you succeed in expanding your music collection, as good music is something that can provide enormous positive energy.
Posts: 993 | Registered: Jul 2006
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I'm a fan of The Fray myself. Their album is named How to Save a Life. Musically they aren't all that special, but they have some great lyrics, in my opinion. Matchbox 20 is also good. And while I don't have the album, I've heard some people rave about Rob Thomas' solo album, though other people have ranted.
Goo Goo Dolls are worth a gander, as is John Mayer (Room For Squares was infinitely better IMO, but YVMV)
Also, what about stuff like The Eagles or Pink Floyd or Don Mclean or Bob Dylan?
The biggest recommendation I have for you though is one you should really check out if you haven't. They are one of, if not, my favorite band. Lifehouse. They have three albums, No Name Face, Stanley Climbfall and Lifehouse. I'm torn between the first (No Name Face) and the latest (Lifehouse) as favorites, but regardless, they are awesome.
Hope I was some help .
Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Either I missed it, or nobody mentioned them yet, and I'm surprised. RADIOHEAD. You see, Coldplay has always seemed like the less gritty, less good version of Radiohead. That's just imho. But you should check out The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A, and Amnesiac for sure. Pablo Honey is okay, but they really get going creatively with The Bends and beyond.
And you know, the Beatles are always good. If you don't like poppy stuff start with Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club band or The White Album.
I am a great lover of The Smashing Pumpkins, and Siamese Dream or Melancollie and the Infinite Sadness are their greatest albums imo. After Melancollie they got a little demented.
That's all I can think of now. Good luck! New music can be so much fun. Posts: 511 | Registered: Mar 2006
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quote:Originally posted by Dr Strangelove: And while I don't have the album, I've heard some people rave about Rob Thomas' solo album, though other people have ranted.
Let me put it this way: I have the album because Rob Thomas could record himself banging on a pot with a spoon, and I'd buy it. It's got some nice tracks, and it's in the much better than pot and spoon category, but mostly, he's lucky he's Rob Thomas.
quote:Originally posted by Luet13: But you should check out The Bends, OK Computer, Kid A, and Amnesiac for sure. Pablo Honey is okay, but they really get going creatively with The Bends and beyond.
Don't forget High and Dry and Karma Police
Posts: 213 | Registered: Jan 2007
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Doves - 'the last broadcast' Dredg - 'el cielo' and 'catch without arms' I concur with visiting AllMusic and Pandora. There are "girl music" that could hang with your Coldplay sensibilities: Curve - Cuckoo Cranes - Particles & Waves Ladytron - Witching Hour Broadcast - Tender Buttons For some country leanings, listen to the Byrds with Gram Parsons or CSN&Y.
Posts: 61 | Registered: Aug 2003
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I'm not too terribly familiar with their work, but the album The Question by Emery has a good alternative vibe to it. If you check it out, I'll check it out.
The Question is decent (to me at least), but I'm afraid 777 might consider this "teenage punk music".
Posts: 1945 | Registered: Jul 2005
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I've made a decision: I'm expanding into Keane, The Fray, and possibly the Goo Goo Dolls.
These three bands (as far as I can tell) best represent what I'm looking for. Of course, as time goes on, I'll probably get out of my comfort zone and add more diverse tunes to my library. At the moment, though, this is what I'm settling for.
By the way, that Train album was a mistake of mine. I had listened to their hit tracks (their hits are solid, by the way) Drops of Jupiter, Calling All Angels, When I Look to the Sky, and Get to Me. Assuming that the rest of their material had to have some sort of value, I quickly learned my mistake, finding that most of it sounded the same. Train is not something I am eager to get more of.
I did just get something, though. I got Please by U2 off of iTunes (that's the mini-album, not the single track). It apparently features several live performances, notably Where the Streets Have No Name.
Posts: 292 | Registered: Jun 2006
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